Formula 1 and NASCAR are the two biggest motorsport leagues in the world. They follow different disciplines in the world of motorsport racing. F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport, where the competition is cutthroat, and the drivers who have lost momentum in F1 usually look for seats in other racing leagues. It’s sad, but motorsport offers many avenues for drivers to show off their skills and talent. This article will look at 10 F1 drivers who switched to NASCAR racing and raced there for specific periods, highlighting their accomplishments in both sports.
1. Juan Pablo Montoya
The most successful racer in both F1 and NASCAR racing is Juan Pablo Montoya. His move from Formula 1 to NASCAR nurtured his skill and talent more than before. He was at his peak in F1 racing when he surprised everyone by leaving F1 in 2006. Montoya retired from F1 forever and gave his contribution to joining the NASCAR series the same year. His achievements in NASCAR include:
2 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series
First- Non-American driver to race in the NASCAR Chase For The Cup
Won prestigious races at Sonoma Raceway in 2007 and Watkins Glen in 2010.
His NASCAR career lasts for eight long years (2006-2014)
2. Jacques Villeneuve
Jacques Villeneuve is the 1997 FIA World Formula 1 Championship driver winner. He was one of the most successful racers from the 90s who gave a serious fight to Michael Schumacher. Unlike his father, Gills Villeneuve, Jacques also likes to race apart from F1. In 2006, he took a bold step to quit Formula 1 racing and went on to join NASCAR in the United States. His achievements include:
Became the first Canadian F1 driver to race in NASCAR racing.
Jacques Villeneuve is the first Canadian NASCAR driver to win all three major races in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Took the podium at No. 3 in the Nationwide Series at Montreal.
2008 Daytona 500 qualified
3. Kimi Raikkonen
Kimi Raikkonen is the 2007 F1 Driver Championship winner. The last Ferrari driver who won a championship has made his move to NASCAR racing multiple times. After leaving the sport in 2010, Kimi joined Trackhouse Racing Project F1 drivers to race in the NASCAR Cup Series. His achievements in NASCAR racing are as follows:
Raced in the Nationwide NASCAR Series and one NASCAR Truck Infinity Series in 2011.
Participated in Watkins Glen in 2022.
Finished 37th in his Cup Series with his debut team, Trackhouse Racing.
4. Jenson Button
The 2009 F1 World Championship-winning driver, Jenson Button, shocked the world when he decided to leave Formula 1 at the peak of his career. Jenson has 15 Grand Prix wins throughout his F1 career. However, Button not only went to NASCAR but also drove for Super GT, WEC, and Extreme E. He was the NASCAR driver for Rick Ware Racing in partnering with Stewart Haas Racing. Button made his NASCAR debut in 2023 and achieved various successes like:
He competes in every race in all three NASCAR Cup Race Series
Best Finish of 21st place at Indianapolis
Raced at Chicago Street Race in 2023
5. Mario Andretti
A legendary figure in the world of Formula 1. Mario Andretti is one of the few successful F1 drivers from the 1970s. He had won the 1978 F1 World’s Driver titles and became the only driver to score a win in both F1 and NASCAR. His achievements include:
Won the 1967 Daytona 500
Earned 33 top-10 finishes in NASCAR
Successful in multiple road track and dirt track race wins.
6. Scott Speed
Many of you, as F1 fans, don’t know about Scott Speed. But once, he was an F1 driver for Toro Rosso. His F1 career did not last for too long, as he drove for Toro Rosso from 2006 to 2007 and did not secure any points in his entire F1 career. However, his move from Formula 1 to NASCAR nurtured his racing career. He made several records in NASCAR as:
Became the first F1 driver to compete full-time in the Cup Series from 2009-2010
Achieved 5 top-10 finishes in the Nationwide Series
Gained the best 7th-place finish at Talladega.
7. Jim Clark
The two-time F1 world champion driver also made an outstanding success in the world of NASCAR racing. He made his NASCAR debut in 1967, driving for John Holmon and Ralphy Moddy at the American 500. His achievements are as follows:
Finished 30th in his only NASCAR start
Best Race finish of 13 at the Rockingham
Only F1 racer from the 1960s to compete in NASCAR and F1 under sane season.
8. Innes Ireland
An F1 racer from the 1960s scouted himself for the NASCAR series despite having a good career in F1. Innes was the F1 driver for team Lotus, who debuted in 1959. He then went on to win eight non-championship races and one single championship race in Formula 1 until leaving the sport in 1966. His achievements in NASCAR are as follows:
First Scottish driver who made a debut at Daytona International in 967
Competed in the Daytona 500 race alongside Founder Bill Franc.
Drove a Ford For the Woods Brothers Racing Team
9. Daniil Kvyat
Daniil Kvyat was one of the emerging F1 racers who raced for Toro Rosso from 2014 to 2020. He was a good F1 racer, but despite having two podium finishes, he never made big in F1 and was later left the sport. His return to NASCAR showed his driving skills and that he is capable of winning races despite leaving Red Bull in F1.
Made his NASCAR debut at Indianapolis in July 2022
Qualified 36th in his debut race
Finished 36th in the Indianapolis Road Course
10. Nelson Piquet Jr.
Nelson Piquet Jr. is one of the most successful racers in his time in the Formula 1 racing league. The 3-times world championship winner made his NASCAR debut in the early 2000s. His achievements in NASCAR are as follows:
Raced in the Nationwide Cup Series
Finished in the top 10 NASCAR Xfinity Series
Achieved over-top-5 finish in Nationwide Cup
This move from F1 to NASCAR has helped many racers or drivers to bring up the sporting event together for European and American motorsports. What are your views on this, and who will be the next upcoming drivers from the hybrid era that would join NASCAR after leaving F1? Tell us in the comments below.
